Under the Dome: Exhibits, Education and Entertainment

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, December 8, 2016) - Ever wonder how a planetarium system works? What does 70 mm film look like and why doesn’t the theater use it anymore? And how do you inspire an interest in science in school students and summer camp cadets? A lot goes on inside the Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center at the New Mexico Museum of Space History and just exactly what that is will be the topic of the Warehouse 1402: Behind the Scenes Tour on January 7, 2017. Join muse. . . [ more ]

John Glenn, War Hero, Astronaut, Senator, Passes at 95

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, December 8, 2016) – The last surviving member of the Mercury 7 astronauts, John Glenn, has passed away at 95. Glenn died at The Ohio State University Wesner Medical Center in Columbus, where he was surrounded by family and his wife of 73 years, Annie. According to the Columbus Dispatch, his body will lie in state at the Ohio Statehouse for a day and a public memorial service will be held at Ohio State University’s Mershon Auditorium. He will be bur. . . [ more ]

Mercury, Gemini and Apollo

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, November 22, 2016) - We all know about Scott Carpenter, John Glenn and all the other men who were America’s first astronauts. But what do we know about Rene, dubbed the undisputed prom queen of the early space program, or Annie, who suffered from a severe speech impediment, or all the other wives of the space explorers? Join Museum Curator Sue Taylor for the Launch Pad Lecture on Friday, Dec. 2, as she takes an in-depth look at the astronauts’ wives and how they supported the. . . [ more ]

Space Travel Without Rockets

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, October 26, 2016) In practically every episode of the television series Star Trek, Captain Kirk would say, “Warp speed, Mr. Sulu,” and off they would go through the universe faster than the speed of light. Will today’s technology ever catch up with them? It’s the 21st century and we still use rockets to get around the solar system, but somebody does have an idea for a warp drive. Join Museum Education Director Dave Dooling for the Launch Pad Lecture on Friday, No. . . [ more ]

Panel Session Planned to Discuss Roddenberry Influence

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, October 14, 2016) - The New Mexico Museum of Space History is pleased to announce that Emmy Award winning special effects expert David Stipes will be attending the Induction ceremony for Gene Roddenberry on Saturday, November 12. Stipes is a special effects expert who has worked in the industry for more than fifty years, beginning in high school. His credits include Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Battlestar Gallactica, Creepshow. . . [ more ]

Ceremony Coincides With Museum’s 40th Anniversary

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, September 29, 2016) - The New Mexico Museum of Space History and International Space Hall of Fame Foundation are pleased to announce this year’s inductee into the Hall of Fame. One individual will join the ranks of such notables as Neil Armstrong, Walter Cronkite and Arthur C. Clarke.

On November 12, 2016, the New Mexico Museum of Space History will be inducting Mr. Gene Roddenberry into the International Space Hall of Fame.

Celebrating 70 Years of Observing the Sun from Space

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, September 28, 2016) - Did you know that as far back as the Babylonians, solar activity and events have been recorded, or that by 28 BC sunspot observations were regularly recorded by Chinese astronomers? The brightest object in our sky has always fascinated us, but it wasn’t until 1946 that we were able to get a little more up close and personal with observations.

That was the year that Dr. Richard Tousey of the Naval Research Laboratory flew. . . [ more ]

The Giant Planets

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, July 27, 2016) - Did you know that astronomers group the planets in our solar system into two categories? Does one of the giant planets actually have its own miniature solar system? Get the answers to those questions and more on Friday, August 5, at 9:00 AM, when Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll presents this month’s Launch Pad Lecture: Great Balls of Gas: The Giant Planets.

The Launch Pad Lecture is free to the public and is held at 9:00 AM on the Museum's first f. . . [ more ]

Alamogordo, New Mexico, July 19, 2016) - Summer camp cadets at the New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Rocketeer Academy recently honored a pioneering mission that opened the exploration of the Sun from space. Cadets attending The Goldilocks Star session in July built simple models of the solar spectroscope flown in 1946 onboard a V-2 rocket launched from what was then White Sands Proving Ground. The highlight of the cadets’ week was a trip to White Sands Missile Range to see a modern day version of that spectroscope being readied for. . . [ more ]

New Name, New Projector & New Movies!

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, July 11, 2016) - The New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, formerly the Tombaugh Theater, is now open to the public. Featuring the world’s first Spitz Scidome 4k Laser fulldome planetarium projection system, the theater is premiering one new giant screen film, two digital planetarium shows and a daily live star show.

The theater is featuring the recently released giant screen movie Journey to Space, which takes moviegoers on a behind-the-scen. . . [ more ]

Naval Aviation

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, June 29, 2016) - Did you know that four of the original Mercury 7 astronauts were Naval Aviators? The Navy has played a crucial role in space exploration from the beginning, whether providing astronauts or recovering the astronauts after splashdown in the ocean. Learn more on Friday, July 1, at 9:00 AM, when Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll presents this month’s Launch Pad Lecture: From the Sea to the Stars: Naval Aviation.

New Name, New Projector & New Movies!

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, June 20, 2016) - The New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, formerly the Tombaugh Theater, will open to the public on Friday, July 1. Featuring the world’s first Spitz Scidome 4k Laser fulldome planetarium projection system, the theater will premier one new giant screen film, two digital planetarium shows and a daily live star show.

The grand “re-opening” of the theater heralds not only a brand new projector system, but a new name for it and the . . . [ more ]

Lonely Planet’s New Book Showcases Museums Worldwide

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, May 6, 2016) - Tucked in the pages between the National Rail Museum in the UK and the New York City Fire Museum, the New Mexico Museum of Space History was selected to join the exclusive and lofty ranks of Lonely Planet’s newest travel book 50 Museums to Blow Your Mind. Although the book itself is relatively small, many of the museums inside are giants – from the Acropolis Museum in Greece and the Smithsonian Institute to Norway’s Viking . . . [ more ]

Free Public Viewing of Mercury Transit on May 9

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, May 2, 2016) - Mercury will transit the Sun for the first time since 2006 on Monday, May 9, 2016. Transits of the planets are relatively rare and only those of Mercury and Venus are viewable from Earth. In fact, there are usually only about 13 transits of Mercury each century. The next Mercury transit will not occur until November 11, 2019.

The Mercury transit is not visible to the naked eye. The Amateur Astronomers Group will have an assortment of . . . [ more ]

International Space Hall of Fame Ceremony Planned for April 16

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, April 4, 2016) - German Astronaut Thomas Reiter (Brigadier General, Ret., GAF) will be inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 16, 2016. The Induction Ceremony and Luncheon will be held on the museum first floor beginning at 11:30 am. Reception immediately following after at approximately 2:00pm. Tickets are $25 per person and are on sale at the New Mexico Museum of Space History’s Marketing Department.

ESA Director of Human Spaceflight to Present Agency Plans

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, April 8, 2016) - Thomas Reiter, German Astronaut and retired Brigadier General with the German Air Force, is now the Director of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations. He is responsible for managing European contributions to the ISS, overseeing human spaceflight activities for the Agency, the Space Situational Awareness Programs and operations of ESA satellite missions, along with coordinating the evolu. . . [ more ]

Primates and the Space Program – the Holloman Connection

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, March 21, 2016) - Across the tracks and behind the chamber of commerce, near the old sawmill, is a very large metal building that most people probably never notice. Those who’ve been in Alamogordo for a long time remember it as the old Stanley Hardware. About 25 years ago, the International Space Hall of Fame purchased the building and donated it to the Museum of Space History. Today the often overlooked facility is the museum’s “support cen. . . [ more ]

Museum Offers Motorcoach Tour to Trinity Site April 2

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, March 2, 2016) - The world’s first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945, at Trinity Site, in New Mexico on the north end of what is now White Sands Missile Range. In recognition of the event, Trinity Site is open to the public twice each year, on the first Saturday in April and again on the first Saturday in October.

As part of their 40th Anniversary celebration, the New Mexico Museum of Space History is hosting a motorcoach tour to Tri. . . [ more ]

Anniversary Events Kick-Off March 1

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, February 24, 2016) - On October 5, 1976, the International Space Hall of Fame (ISHF) opened its doors to the public. The brainchild of then Alamogordo Mayor Dwight Ohlinger, the project to create the ISHF enjoyed massive public support from the community, the state, and organizations from across the globe. The opening was marked with much fanfare, including several days of activities that featured an International Academy of Astronautics conference, a parade, rocket lau. . . [ more ]

What Goes In, Must Come Out!

Free Launch Pad Lecture Friday March 4

(Alamogordo, NM, February 26, 2016) – At the New Mexico Museum of Space History, one little exhibit on floor 4B probably gets more interest, and more snickers, than almost any other exhibit. It’s a mockup of a Skylab Toilet and everybody wants to know how they do “that” in space. The Launch Pad Lecture on Friday, March 4, Input/Output: What Goes In Must Come Out by Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll, gives the inside scoop on eating a. . . [ more ]

Installation of New Projection System Slated for Mid-May

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, February 15, 2016) - The Tombaugh Theater at the New Mexico Museum of Space History is set to be the first theater in the world to install the Spitz SciDome 4k Laser fulldome planetarium system, replacing two antiquated analog-era projectors in the theater.

“In 1983, the Tombaugh Theater was top of the line and amazed our visitors. Today, it’s very exciting to say that we are bringing our guests a projection system that is literally out . . . [ more ]

Apollo 14 Astronaut Edgar Mitchell Passes Away at 85

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, February 5, 2016) - The last surviving member of the Apollo 14 crew, Astronaut Edgar Dean Mitchell, passed away February 4, at 9:30 pm, in West Palm Beach from a sudden illness.

Although Mitchell was born in Hereford, Texas, he always considered Artesia, New Mexico, his home because he spent most of his childhood there. A 1948 graduate of Artesia High School, the Navy veteran also held degrees in Industrial Management, Aeronautical Engineering, . . . [ more ]

Shinabery and Killebrew Receive Special Recognition

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, February 4, 2016) - New Mexico Museum of Space History Educator Michael Shinabery and New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired science teacher Jeffrey Killebrew were honored with a special proclamation of congratulations by the New Mexico House of Representatives on February 1, 2016, in recognition of their work with NASA’s SOFIA program.

Shinabery and Killebrew were the first New Mexicans to be chosen to fly on SOFIA (Stratospheric. . . [ more ]

Teachers and Their Families Get in Free on February 20

(Alamogordo, New Mexico, January 28, 2016) - A digital star show, an Alien Autopsy, and Twisted Weather are on tap for the Teacher’s Open House at the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo on Feb. 20, 2016. Teachers and their families will have free access to the Museum and the Tombaugh Theater all day (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) as the museum education staff show off their new portable planetarium system, STEM based education programs, and much more.

Free Launch Pad Lecture Friday February 5

(Alamogordo, NM, January 28, 2016) - Nearly half a century ago, the world watched in awe as seven Apollo missions over a four-year period took twenty-one men to the moon and back. Twelve of those men landed on the moon, explored it, and brought back samples of rocks and dirt. April 11-17, 2015, marked the forty-fifth anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission, in which an explosion aboard the spacecraft nearly doomed three astronauts. January 31, 2016, marks the forty-fifth anniversary of the la. . . [ more ]